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Sports

Column: Chicago White Sox need more than a couple of wins to prove they’re a serious threat in the AL Central

The Chicago White Sox begin a make-or-break trip to Cleveland and Minnesota on Monday, facing the teams ahead of them in the American League Central in the final week before the All-Star break.The Sox could play themselves out of contention with a poor trip, or they could make a statement they’re still the team to beat in the second half by dominating the Guardians and Twins.AdvertisementBut the way the season has gone, chances are they’ll be close to where they were Sunday, looking up at the Twins and repeating their mantra: “It’s still early.”Whatever your perception of the Sox, know that manager Tony La Russa believes the media hype about the importance of the eight-game trip is merited, even though he’s sticking to the mantra.Advertisement“We need to play competitively and come out with competitive results,” La Russa said Sunday morning in the Sox dugout. “The one thing you have to temper the hype with is when it’s over, you’re still in July. But it’s an important road trip. It’s an important game today.”[ [Don’t miss] Tim Anderson is ‘very thankful’ to be the 1st White Sox shortstop to start the All-Star Game since 1970 ]The Sox came back Sunday to beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 and split the four-game series, ending the homestand against the Twins and Tigers with a 3-4 record.The Tigers gift-wrapped this one in the eighth inning with a dropped two-out pop fly, which the Sox gladly accepted.“If a team gives you an extra out, good teams take advantage of it,” AJ Pollock said. “And we were fortunate enough today to be able to take advantage of it. … We’ve seen some teams take advantage of us when we didn’t make plays, and it’s nice to be that team (on the other end).”The score was tied at 2 in the eighth when left fielder Robbie Grossman botched a fly off the bat of Luis Robert to keep the inning alive. After an intentional walk to José Abreu, Pollock singled off Gregory Soto to give the Sox their first lead. Eloy Jiménez followed with another run-scoring single, and closer Liam Hendriks shut down the Tigers in the ninth for his 17th save.Leury García (28), AJ Pollock (18) and Adam Engel (15) celebrate the White Sox’s 4-2 win over the Tigers on Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Mark Black/AP)The Sox improved to 41-43 and trail the division-leading Twins by five games as they hit the road for the last time before the All-Star break.It’s easy to look at the last two games against the Tigers as “big” wins, but every time the Sox think they’ve taken a season-turning step forward, they come out flat the next night. Hendriks said it’s important to “regain the authority figure we had last year,” referring to the team’s confidence level in 2021.“Just gain that (attitude of) ‘We are better than everybody else and we can do this,’” he said. “We need to get that mindset back. That’s something we’ve had spurts of, but it really hasn’t caught fire yet. I’m hoping games like (Saturday) and today in a row will help spark that fire a little bit.”AdvertisementTheories for the first-half malaise are widespread, but the most common seems to be that the Sox have played too “relaxed.” TV studio analyst Frank Thomas repeated that criticism after Thursday’s loss to the Tigers and called for some “snappage” in the dugout, suggesting players get in each other’s faces as they did back when he played.[ [Don’t miss] Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong and White Sox’s Oscar Colás are named to the All-Star Futures Game ]Game analyst Steve Stone was just as blunt during Friday night’s telecast: “You cannot sleepwalk your way through the rest of the season.”Whether the Sox players heard the critiques — or cared — is unknown. Maybe they simply shrug off the observations of the team’s TV analysts, believing everything is fine and the winning eventually will start happening because of the talent in the clubhouse.But Thomas and Stone are two of the most knowledgeable and outspoken analysts around, and unlike many team-approved announcers who sugarcoat their team’s shortcomings, they’re not afraid to point out the Sox’s problems.Michael Kopech is one of the most promising young pitchers the Sox have had in years, but he needed to step up Sunday after four straight losses and a 6.86 ERA in that span. Instead Kopech walked the first batter on four pitches, then served up a two-run home run to Javier Báez that put the Sox in a quick hole.White Sox starter Michael Kopech pitches against the Tigers during the first inning Sunday, July 10, 2022, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Mark Black/AP)Kopech recovered and pitched into the sixth without allowing any more runs. But he needs to pitch deeper into games if he wants to be considered an elite starter. AdvertisementWhen he didn’t cover first base on a grounder to the bag in the second, La Russa and the trainers came out to the mound to see what was wrong. Sox fans held their breath. Back on June 12, Kopech left a start against the Texas Rangers after only 13 pitches with knee discomfort.But apparently the only thing wrong with Kopech on Sunday was he didn’t properly field his position.“I just got over a little slow,” he said. “How the first inning went, maybe there was some concern there were some underlying issues going on. I felt as good as I have been. I just didn’t have my best stuff.”Little things like that have made this an aggravating season for Sox fans. The Sox need to be cognizant of the perception they don’t run the bases well, play poor defense and make mental mistakes on a daily basis, such as when Robert let a fly ball fall next to him during Friday’s loss.“Not a good look,” Stone said.“Nope,” play-by-play man Jason Benetti responded.AdvertisementThere was silence in the booth for several seconds. Sometimes the silence says it all during a Sox telecast.A couple of wins over the Tigers was a nice way to end a mediocre homestand. But it will take a much longer streak of well-played games to convince everyone the Sox are back to where we all thought they would be.They no longer can rely on their reputations, whether it’s La Russa, Kopech, Robert or anyone else in the clubhouse.It’s time to prove themselves — all over again.

Sports

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ is named to his 1st All-Star team: ‘As consistent of a player as I’ve ever seen him be’

LOS ANGELES — An emotional Ian Happ dropped his head into his hands as he digested the news Sunday morning in the visitors clubhouse at Dodger Stadium.Chicago Cubs manager David Ross called a pregame meeting to go over the team schedule and plans for the upcoming All-Star break. But then Ross had one additional detail to share, waiting until the end to reveal the news: Happ made his first All-Star team as a National League reserve.AdvertisementHapp will join teammate Willson Contreras, the NL’s starting catcher, for the All-Star Game on July 19 in Los Angeles.Ross recalled Happ telling him Thursday before Contreras’ All-Star honor was announced that if he happened to make the team, not to tell him in front of everyone because he would cry like a baby. Of course, the clubhouse setting provided the perfect backdrop for the big news. It set off clapping and cheers from his teammates, who enveloped Happ in hugs.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] After All-Star Game honor, Willson Contreras makes it clear: ‘I would love nothing more than play for the Chicago Cubs the rest of my life’ ]“It was a great scene, great for our guys, something to really celebrate and I think everybody was genuinely really, really happy for Ian,” Ross said. “Happer has been as consistent of a player as I’ve ever seen him be, and the fact he gets rewarded by being an All-Star, he’s deserving of that. He’s upped his game, not just offensive numbers but his defense and baserunning, his all-around game has been stellar and I’m so happy for him.”The All-Star honor is a remarkable achievement for Happ, who turned around a big-league career trending in the wrong direction.On this date last year, Happ was hitting .183 with a .296 on-base percentage, .626 slugging percentage, 29% strikeout rate and 73 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) through 76 games. The slump raised significant concerns about whether Happ, a free agent after the 2023 season, fit into the Cubs’ future plans. But instead of an awful first half completely derailing the 27-year-old switch hitter, he turned around his 2021 season in the final two months and carried that success into 2022.Happ has overcome adversity during his six-year career, including getting sent to Triple A to start the 2019 season. Among NL outfielders, Happ entered Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers ranked third in OBP (.372), fourth in batting average (.277), fifth in weighted on-base average (.357), fifth in WAR (2.2), sixth in RBIs (40) and seventh in wRC+(129). In his first at-bat Sunday after making the team, he doubled as part of a five-run first inning against Dodgers starter Julio Urías.“It’s spectacular, man,” Ross said. “I’m so proud of him. The mental toughness that you have to have to come out of that is really good. When you see guys set their path to greatness, it’s after stuff like that. Being able to come out and be where he’s at right now, I’m super happy for him.”Patrick Wisdom’s locker in the Dodger Stadium clubhouse is situated directly next to Happ’s, and Wisdom could feel the emotions coming from Happ after the announcement. Watching Happ endure last year’s struggles and come through it while playing at an elite level has rubbed off on Wisdom.“He’s having an All-Star-caliber year and he’s more than deserving to be on that team, so it wasn’t a surprise to me because I knew that he should be there,” Wisdom told the Tribune. “He’s a pro through and through, and either hitting behind him or in front of him, just watching how he handles the successes and the failures, I’ve added that to my game and am learning from him constantly whether he knew that or not.”

Sports

Sylvia Fowles steals the show in her final WNBA All-Star Game with a rare 3-pointer and dunk in Team Wilson’s rout

Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum led a team assembled by teammate A’Ja Wilson to a lopsided 134-112 victory in the WNBA All-Star Game on Sunday at Wintrust Arena.A first-time All-Star, Plum earned the MVP award by scoring 30 points to match the All-Star scoring record set by Maya Moore in 2015.AdvertisementBut it was Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles — also playing for Team Wilson — who stole the show in the final All-Star Game of her career. The 36-year-old Fowles, who announced in February this would be her final season, opened the game by sinking a rare 3-pointer and receiving a big cheer from the crowd as a former Chicago Sky first-round draft pick.“I appreciate the love that I’m getting, which is kind of weird because I always shy away from it,” said Fowles, who finished with seven points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals in 20 minutes. “But it’s been comforting knowing that people do appreciate the things I’ve done throughout my last 15 years in this league.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Chicago played host to WNBA All-Stars this weekend. Here’s what we saw — and heard — around the city. ]Witnessing Fowles pull up behind the 3-point line is a rare sight for even the most passionate WNBA fan — she has taken only one shot from long range in her entire career, making it in 2010 for the Sky against the now-defunct San Antonio Stars.Fowles showed off again in the second quarter when she picked off a pass, jogged down the court and hammered a right-handed dunk. Despite her 6-foot-6 frame, the dunk was a similarly rare sight — Fowles hadn’t attempted a slam since 2008.Fowles said this All-Star weekend in Chicago was one of her favorites among her eight All-Star nods. She added that she led both teams in urging Sky star Candace Parker to dunk in the game, but Parker, 36, said she’s “too old” and stayed grounded for the game.“She dunked for both of us,” Parker said.Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird, who also has announced this is her last season, played only 15 minutes for Team Stewart and didn’t score in her final All-Star Game. She and Fowles earned standing ovations when they exited the court for the last time.[ [Don’t miss] WNBA players balance activist roles as political turmoil hangs over All-Star weekend ]“It’s actually a nice feeling. Maybe a little bit of closure, right?” Bird said. “As an athlete, when you come to the end of your career, so much goes into the decision to actually retire. So the way people have reacted and these little moments I get both in Seattle and on the road — I know it’s the right timing for me, but it gives it a (feeling) like, ‘OK, this is going to be all right.’ Everyone’s getting their moment that we can share.”Connecticut Sun center Jonquel Jones also made a run at the All-Star scoring record, finishing with 29 points for Team Stewart after missing her final attempt from 3-point range.AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 38Chicago Sky players Courtney Vandersloot, left, and Allie Quigley walk the orange carpet Friday during WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. (Quinn Harris / Getty Images)Parker mugged for the camera and playfully teased the referees throughout the game as she scored 15 points in 23 minutes for Team Wilson. She hounded Sky teammate Kahleah Copper whenever they were paired against one another, with Copper scoring eight points in 17 minutes for Team Stewart.“We’re definitely going have to win a championship so we can forget about this part of the season,” Copper joked after the game. “It’s funny because we had the moments where we’re going at it and then we came to each other and Candace was like, ‘I don’t like being across from you.’ So let’s just let it be over and then let’s get back on the same side.”Sky captain Courtney Vandersloot had eight points, eight assists and six rebounds in 17 minutes for Team Wilson, keeping her style of play consistent from the regular season to the exhibition. The Sky’s Emma Meesseman added eight points and four rebounds in 14 minutes for Team Stewart.Sky coach James Wade helmed Team Stewart, which was assembled by the Storm’s Breanna Stewart.[ [Don’t miss] Rev. Al Sharpton stirs effort for Brittney Griner’s return amid WNBA All-Star festivities: ‘Bring Brittney home’ ]Players continued to use All-Star weekend as a platform to bring attention to the detainment of WNBA star Brittney Griner in Russia.The Phoenix Mercury star was named an honorary All-Star starter, and both teams wore jerseys bearing Griner’s name and number throughout the second half.Advertisement“It’s hard for all of us. Not a day goes by that I’m not thinking about Brittney Griner,” Wilson said. “Wearing her jersey and letting the world know that we’re not whole without her, that’s a statement in itself. We’re playing on ABC and ESPN, showing that it’s real and understanding that we’re not going to stop until everyone understands how serious this really is.“At the end of the day, we’re always playing for BG. We’re just praying that she gets home safe.”

Sports

Photos: WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago

Melissa Kramer (backward cap) was the first fan in line this morning for the WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022.. She is a huge fan of Sue Bird, ” She’s extremely down to earth and we need more genuine people like Sue. Because of her, I found my own voice and place in the world.” (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)